Chapter 30: Princess Alice's Request
"Your body is weak?" Shirou looked at her with doubt.
Princess Alice nodded and explained.
"That is correct, King Orihara. My current physical condition is extremely poor; it has reached the point where I am bedridden. I require specialized care just to maintain the basic health of my physical form."
As she spoke, the stunningly beautiful blonde girl let out a soft sigh.
"My innate powerful spiritual energy and Spirit Vision, which allows me to easily master any knowledge, enabled me to surpass the most difficult magical hurdles for a witch and become the most powerful witch in the world. I can even travel to the Netherworld as a spirit body at will. However, the price for all of this is that I can now only walk the world in this astral form."
While being an "astral body" wasn't necessarily bad—it even allowed her to appear anywhere very quickly—Princess Alice's own physical condition was dire. A mortal frame could not easily withstand such innate, powerful spiritual energy. Consequently, she not only found it difficult to move but her lifespan had been significantly shortened as well.
"So, what is your purpose in seeing me?"
Shirou sat down on a nearby sofa while watching Princess Alice, who remained standing since she had not yet received his permission to sit.
"I have great respect for your feat of subjugating the magic associations of Southern Europe. However, because of those events, Sir Paolo Blandelli, the Grand Master of the Red Copper Black Cross, is currently recovering from his injuries. Unfortunately, 'Black Prince' Alec has recently made another arrogant declaration, threatening to invade the Assembly of Sages..."
Before Princess Alice could finish, Shirou already understood the meaning behind her words and even guessed what she was going to say next. He spoke bluntly:
"So, without Paolo Blandelli's help, you've set your sights on me? Are you here to hold me accountable for his injuries?"
Hearing this, Princess Alice was suddenly broken into a cold sweat. she hurriedly lowered her posture and explained to Shirou.
"That is not it at all, King Orihara! I only wish to request your assistance in helping the Assembly of Sages fend off 'Black Prince' Alec. If you agree to help, our Assembly of Sages is willing to pay any price!"
Princess Alice spoke these words anxiously, but Shirou merely propped his cheek on his hand, his eyes half-closed.
In Princess Alice's view, this King should be weighing the pros and cons in his mind, considering whether or not to help the Assembly. Regardless, she felt confident in her terms.
She believed this new king, who had only recently become a "Godslayer," would surely be tempted by the powerful intelligence and data network possessed by the Assembly of Sages.
In reality, however, Princess Alice could never have guessed that Shirou's thoughts were worlds away from her expectations.
To Shirou, "Black Prince" Alec posed no threat at all; in fact, the guy could be considered the weakest among all the Godslayers.
"Black Prince" Alec's full name was Alexander Gascoigne, but his nickname was more famous than his actual name. His father was an occult scholar who knew a bit of magic but was better at gambling and sleight of hand. When his father, who was chasing the Holy Grail, passed away and left him a code at age sixteen, his adventure began. Due to a failed ritual by ancient monks trying to create a Godslayer, he encountered the Angel Remiel. Ultimately, through extraordinary luck and sharp intuition, he emerged victorious and became a Godslayer.
Alexander was the one behind the attack on the hidden British Library, the seizure of the Holy Grail—which triggered the greatest conflict in the European magic world—and various other incidents. To pursue the Holy Grail, he founded and led the Royal Arsenal. The Black Prince considered himself a rational person, unlike other Godslayers, and was not very good at dealing with women. He used sorcery in battle, and perhaps due to his years of struggle against the Assembly of Sages (the pinnacle of the magic world), he eventually trained himself into a first-class magus.
However, that level of power was no longer sufficient in front of Shirou. With Shirou's current strength, even without using his Authorities, he was enough to stand at the apex of all Godslayers throughout history. The only things that could pique his interest now were the top-tier "Heretic Gods" of mythology.
What Shirou was actually considering was not a balance of pros and cons, but simply what he should demand from the Assembly of Sages. Should he have them search the world for traces of "Heretic Gods," or have them provide him with "magical" knowledge that was rare and precious worldwide?
As he thought of this, Shirou suddenly remembered something. The moment that thought struck him, he felt like he had been hit by a bolt of lightning. He snapped his eyes open, his pale golden pupils seeming to glow in the dim room.
'Why should I have to choose?'
At this thought, Shirou couldn't help but chuckle at his own "fixed mindset" that still lingered from his previous world.
At that moment, Princess Alice assumed that the King had finished his considerations and was about to agree. Under her expectant gaze, Shirou spoke:
"Helping you is fine, but from this moment forward, the Assembly of Sages must swear fealty to me. Only then, as your King, will I grant my subjects protection."
Just moments ago, Shirou was thinking of how to get more benefits from the Assembly, but he suddenly remembered his current identity: he was a Devil King.
Furthermore, his current strength was more than enough to support him in doing whatever he pleased. There was no need to weigh pros and cons or think about exchanges of interest. Any obstacle was merely a mantis trying to stop a chariot, and any conspiracy or trickery would be in vain. He could do whatever he wanted; he only needed to be a self-willed, dominant, and overbearing Devil King!
Hearing Shirou's forceful words, Princess Alice's expression froze, and she stood there in a daze.
"You... are you serious?"
Shirou revealed a slightly amused expression at her reaction and asked in return:
"Do you really think I'm joking?"
"Of course I don't think so...!" A panicked expression appeared on Princess Alice's exquisite face. Fine beads of sweat broke out on her fair forehead. Feeling the overwhelming aura of a Devil King radiating from Shirou, her body couldn't help but tremble slightly.
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